Samuel R. Kalin

I have many warm memories of my great-uncle Sammy. He seemed to participate in most of the important events of my life. He attended my bar mitzvah and my wedding. We shared many seders and Rosh Hashanah dinners.

As a young boy, I sometimes had the joy of experiencing Uncle Sammy's babysitting skills. He made one mean grilled cheese sandwich! I also remember that Uncle Sammy enjoyed egging me on.

"Danny, you're so strong! What a grip!", was his reponse to every...

I'll always rember my great Uncle Sammy with a smile on his face and something nice to say to make my day. When I was little, I remember how he always had a way of making me feel like I was a special person to him.

To all of us who remember him, may his memory be a blessing of joy.

Dear Phyllis,

I keep thinking about Uncle Sammy and all the times we were together. I remember sitting with him on your grandmother's porch when I was a little girl. I can just picture that. He would talk about his car and told me stories about so many things. As I aged, he was always around your parents' house and then at your homes. I can see him working in the store. I remember him at different functions, at my house to break the fast, going out with him on a date, at your camp on...

Sam was the Jewish Santa Claus of my childhood. I have the most vivid memories of going to visit his shop as a kid when my mom, Lee Kowalsky Greene, brought my brothers and I back to Syracuse and Utica to visit our relatives. Even as a kid, I knew he was a sweetheart. I also recall with great affection his palling around with my mom's brother, Len Kowalsky, and listening to them tell tall tales of their time in the service together during WWII. It is distressing to recall such fond memories...

Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your Dad. He loved you immensely and was so proud of his grandchildren. I am so sorry we didn't keep in touch for the last few years. I missed his birthday on January 11th. I remember how much he loved his convertible and enjoyed driving it in the local Manlius parades. He was so kind to my mother and I truly was grateful for his visits at the hospital. My thoughts are with you.

Sam wa a great man! He was a friend of my dad's. Sam's was the greatest store ever, my favorite. He said I could work there when I got older, unfortunately I didn't do it fast enough! A Long Full Life Sam!

We will miss Sam...he was generous enough to share his time with me, volunteering for years at Crouse Hospital. His stories were endless, as was the supply of candies in his pockets! He was a sweet man that will be missed.